John W. Huff, an aged and respected citizen, died at his home in Summum, Saturday morning, aged 76 years and 8 months.
The deceased was born in Virginia, May 19, 1847. In 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Howe. To this union three children were born, two of whom survive: Mrs. Andrew Beatty of Kansas, Mrs. Abram Malott of Ipava, Frank Huff, deceased.
Mr. Huff was united in marriage the second time, being to Miss Anna Ebbert of Summum. To this union nine children were born, seven of whom survive. They are: Edw. Huff of Richhill, Mo., Charles and Cleve and Mrs. Allie Shawgo, Ipava, Mrs. Stella Thomas of Emporia, Kansas, Mrs. Gloe Ogden, Hume, Mo., Mrs. Arch Hughes, Summum. Also two brothers, George Huff of Smithfield, Sam and Henry Huff, Ipava, besides 13 grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at the Christian church Monday afternoon at 1:00 o’clock, conducted by Rev. Cooper of Ipava. The body was placed in the mausoleum in the Ipava cemetery.
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Editor Argus-Search Light:—No one is expecting a Christmas letter from a mere pagan philosopher and yet the unexpected sometimes happens.
Christmas is simply an abstraction of the ancient Sun-God worship adopted by the early Christian writers as a fitting time of feasting and rejoicing for the return of the genial warmth and rejuvenating power of the sun, whom they worshipped and on whom they relied for material aid and comfort. To us it is a source of happiness because, this is the season when all nature is dormant and we have garnered our harvest and can take an accounting of our labors, ourselves and our prospects. Not to forget also our distant neighbors and erstwhile friends who come trooping home to mingle their various thoughts and experiences with those whose loyalty and contentment has anchored to their home and native land.
From Boston to California they are widely scattered, yet, how we love to meet and greet them in spite of their creeds, their doctrines and beliefs. Their busy lives, their want of time to read, reflect and thus become self-reliant, has forced them to become a prey to the professions. Dependent on the doctors for their health, the preachers for their council, and the lawyers and other cormorants to dispose of their material goods and chattles, or what remains after the grave stone is placed.
Only yesterday marked the passing of a pioneer of the olden-type — John W. Huff, whose biography will never be written, whose sterling qualities, whose honest integrity is but a memory. His loyalty to home and friends is remembered by those whose care and keeping were his charge. Honesty was his creed. He belonged to that fast fading class of sturdy pioneers, whose industry has developed and made of central Illinois, the pride, the garden spot of earth, for aught we know.
Born in Virginia in 1847, he was nearing his 77th year, all but two years of the time he has lived in Fulton County, without a church or creed, he lived a sturdy patriot and died without fear or dread. He leaves a family above reproach and was a friend to all who knew him.
— C. C. McLaren, Summum, Ill.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus